Yalemtsehay Mekonnen

Ph.D a bio-medical scientist, a professor of Cell & Human Physiology & Head of Gender Office, College of Natural Sciences, AAU

“Passion is to do the best you can in whatever position you are in”

Since childhood Professor Yalemtsehay did things only that felt comfortable to her soul and the biggest one was knowledge; knowledge about mathematics, the universe, science, nature and on and on. Knowledge is what she pursued to the very end and knowledge that became useful to society--Science.

Most of her research outputs are applicable in real world which helps directly and indirectly to the development of the country. One such project has been the research on medicinal plants that brought the recognition of important plant Moringa Stenopetala (Shiferaw/Alekko Shekatta) which has gotten a great recognition. This research work has also served as a stepping stone to other mega projects.

Yalemtsehay is not only several award winning scientist but also a nurturing professor who groomed a number of quality students in three decades of service as a professor; she is especially proud of the women who have earned their Ph.D and beyond serving their country and other nations as experts.

Professor Yalemtsehay has received many awards from different institutions: the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Regional Scientific Awards for Women; Grant for Research Group Linkage of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation with the University of Hohenheim, a gold Medal award by Addis Ababa University, and Certificate of recognition by the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), to mention few.

To-date she has published over 100 scientific papers in reputable journals and her research works are in the areas of:

Plants of medicinal and nutritional value: Bioassay-guided fractionations, in vivo and in vitro physiological tests of useful plant extracts, and medicinal test systems for activity of plant-based extracts

Assessment of health hazards to humans, animals and the environment (E.g. Due to chemical pesticides and other contaminants),

Advocacy and collaborative work for the promotion of safe and sustainable use of natural resources